Pocket match-box.



J. E. 6; J. LOWDERMILK. POCKET MATCH BOX. APPLICATION FILED 2212.23, 1910 91,73 Patented June 21,1910.

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JOHN E. LOWDEBMILK AND VALLIE J. LOWDERMILK, OF SCOTTSBURG, INDIANA.

POCKET MATCH-BOX.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 21, 1910.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that we, JOHN E. LoWDER- MILK and VALLIE J. LOWDERMILK, citizens of the United States, residing at Scottsburg, in the county of Scott and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pocket Match- Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying draw- 1n 's.

This invention relates to improvements in pocket match boxes and more particularly to a device of this character adapted to cleliver one match at a time.

The object of the invention is to provide a single delivery pocket match box which will be simple in construction so that it can be produced at a small cost and will be strong and durable in use, and convenient in operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a match box constructed in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section; Fig. 3 is a transverse section; and Fig. 4 is an end view.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, 1 denotes the body of the box which is here shown as of substantially elliptical shape in cross section and has along its narrow or re duced side a longitudinal opening or slot 2 for the discharge of the matches. The box is adapted to be carried in the pocket and is made of slightly greater length than the ordinary matches, consequently the opening 2 extends from one end 3 to the other end 4 of the box. The outlet or discharge opening 2 is controlled by a swinging gate 5 of angular shape in cross section and of just sufficient size to contain a single match, as will be understood on reference to Fig. 3. This gate or valve 5 is preferably constructed of a strip of metal bent transversely so that it is of angular shape or substantially semicylindrical, it being of sufficient length to extend from end to end of the body. The gate 5 is fixed to a longitudinal pivot rod 6, which latter extends through its channeled portion and has its ends rotatable in bearing openings in the end walls 3, 4, of the body.

The lnner side 7 of the gate is decidedly curved, while the outer side 8 is somewhat straight or flat and adapted to swing against the edge of the body at the opening or slot 2, for the purpose of limiting the inward swinging movement of the side 7. By constructing the gate in this manner it will be seen, on reference to Fig. 3, that a single match will be permit-ted to enter the channeled portion of the gate, and that the curved side 7 will act to prevent more than one match from entering the gate.

It will be noted that the gate will at all times close the opening or slot 2 in the body, and that when it is rocked to bring the side 7 into contact with one wall of the body, the match and gate will drop from the latter as the other side 8 swings away from said wall of the slot 2 in the body. This construction therefore effectively prevents but one match being discharged or delivered at a time.

It will be noted that both sides of the gate serve as stops to limit the swinging move ment of the same, the flat, outer side 8 being adapted to swing against the wall of the body of the box to limit the inward swing ing movement of the gate, and the curved or concave wall 7 being adapted to swing against the inner face of the same wall of the body of the box to limit the outward swinging movement of the gate.

Fixed to one of the projecting ends of the pivots 6 is an operating lever 10, the outer end of which is twisted and shaped to form a finger piece 11, and in order to maintain the valve or gate 5 normally in closed position a guide eye 12 is provided on the lever 10 for the free end of a spring 13, the other end of which latter is secured at 14 to the end wall 3. The other end Wall 4 is composed of stationary and swinging sections united by a hinge 15, the swinging section 16 serving as a cap or cover for an opening through which matches may be introduced into the body or box to fill the same. In order to maintain the swinging end section or cover 16 in its closed position a spring 17 is arranged within the body and has one of its ends fixed at 18 to the stationary section of the end wall 4, and its free end working in a guide eye 19 on the inner face of the cover 16.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the invention provides a simple and compact, convenient device of this character which may be carried in a pocket, and which will deliver but one match at a time. The sim- Q ames ple construction renders the device inex pensive to manufacture, and at the same time strong and durable.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

A single delivery pocket match box comprising a body provided with end walls and converging side walls, the latter forming a reduced portion for the body and having their longitudinal edges spaced apart to prov vide an opening, a pivot rod mounted in the end walls of the body and arranged at said opening, a swinging gate for said opening in the body and having its central portion fixed to said pivot rod the outer side portion of said gate being flatand adapted to swing against the outer face of onewall of the body to limit the inward swinging movement of the gate, the inner side of said gate being curved or concaved and being adapted to 7 swing against the inner face of the last mentioned side wall of the body to limit the outward swinging movement of the gate, a hand lever fixed at one end of said pivot and arranged at one end of the body, a springreceiving loop on said lever, and a leaf spring having its free ends slidable in said loop and its other end fixed to the adjacent end wall of the body.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

JOHN E. LOl/VDERMILK. VALLIE J. LOWDERMILK.

Witnesses-2 LUTHER M. STARK, MARGARET STARK. 

